Blood transfusion had two major periods: one empiric to 1900, and another scientific from 1900 on. In 1879, in Brazil, a report discussed if the best transfusion would be between animals and men or between human beings. The pioneers of hemotherapy were surgeons of Rio de Janeiro. Around 1920, there were the first very simple but organized services. During the 40´s, we highlight Rio de Janeiro´s Blood Transfusion Service (Seviço de Transfusão de Sangue - STS), that held both assistencial and scientific activities. At the end of that decade, there was the 1st Sao Paulo Hemotherapy Congress (1 Congresso Paulista de Hemoterapia), that provided the basis to the Brazilian Hematology and Hemotherapy Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia), in 1950. In 1965, thanks to Brazilian Health Ministry, the National Hemotherapy Commission was created, thus establishing rules to protect blood donors and patients. Then, we get to 1979 with a desorganized and uneven quality system. During the 80´s with the establishment of a National Blood Policy, the altruistic donation Program and the 1980 Brazilian Contitution, Hemotherapy could reach another level. Then we get to AIDS era and we head to new concepts and care. Furthermore, there were new concepts of clinical hemotherapy, economic factors, biotecnology, cell therapy, new equipment, computers, quality systems and the increasing study of state-of-the-art scientific areas.
History of blood transfusion; blood banks; hemotherapy in Brazil
